Daoist Master of Qing Xuan

A jade green bamboo leave that swayed in the wing was coincidentally being clipped between the index finger and middle finger of Shen Lian’s right hand. Chen Jinchan’s vision that was already superb could see the clear patterns of the bamboo leaves.

What followed next was something that amazed him appeared. The starlight that was showed now from the clear starlight that covered his master was gathered between the ring finger and pink of his right hand. The same jade green bamboo leave appeared, as though it had grown out of midair, even its pattern was no different than the other bamboo leave that swayed to the wind just now.

Shen Lian turned over and allow Chen Jinchan a clearer look. He plainly asked, “Jinchan, could you tell the difference between the two leaves?”

Chen Jinchan focused his gaze on the two pieces of bamboo leaves. From the shape and size of the pattern and even to the darkness and brightness of the color, he was unable to see the difference. Therefore, he shook his head and said, “I cannot.”

Shen Lian smiled slightly and asked, “If I were to put these two leaves together, could you differentiation which leave is made by me?”

He opened his palms. The two bamboo leaves were wreathed together. It then spun at a really high speed and finally, both of it separated and quietly laid on Shen Lian’s palm. Even with Chen Jinchan’s vision and senses, he was still unable to differentiate the position of each leave after the spinning.

This time, he closely took notice of the seemingly identical bamboo leaves and finally pointed to the leave on the right side, “I guess this leave is created by you, master.”

Shen Lian’s palm shook slightly. The bamboo leaves that Chen Jinchan pointed at was transformed into bits of starlight as it scattered in all direction. The surrounding Qi of heaven and earth then later became exceptionally fresh and active.

Chen Jinchan did not felt joy because that dispersing starlight was his master’s life force.

Shen Lian smiled a little as he said, “Since you could not differentiation the differences between the two bamboo leaves, then what did you based on to know that which bamboo leaf was created by me?”

Chen Jinchan pondered slightly and after a while, he answered, “There was no difference between the two bamboo leaves. But the one master created lacked a certain naturalness to it. Nature created its works of nature with no intention. You create the work of nature with an intention. This is why it had its differences. Even though it could not be seen or heard, but by using the heart to feel it, it could be seen that these two bamboo leaves each had its own glow. One was daylight and another was the candlelight.”

Shen Lian said, “The daylight comes from the sky and the candlelight comes from men. For you to be able to tell me this experience truly surprises me. I could see that not only do you have the innate Daoist body but you are also born with intelligence. Even though it could be hard to say about future accomplishments, but based on your talents alone, the younger me is nowhere close to the current you.”

Chen Jinchan did not become self-complacent because of his master’s place, neither did he pretend to be fearfully humble, he was indifferent and composed. However, deep in his mind, he deeply respected this teacher who he was indebted to, Shen Lian. Just how broad-minded for him to be to be able to easily admit that his younger self was not as talented as his pupil.

Even though he did not directly perceived and felt Shen Lian’s status, but from the side, he was still able to get much information on him. Not only did Shen Lian had a highly esteemed position in Qing Xuan that was similar to the noble witch in the Chen Village, he was even one of the few Great Adepts in this vast expanse of the universe.

Even in Chen Village, there was a hierarchy. Furthermore, according to the crystal ball knowledge given by the noble witch, the world outside had an even obvious hierarchy level.

Even more so, he lamented even more on Master Shen Lian’s amiable and approachable nature, the absolute wisdom that he unintentionally shows even surpassed those of the noble witch greatly.

The noble witch indeed had much knowledge but knowledge did not mean wisdom.

These laments were gradually being felt as he followed by Shen Lian’s side for these two days. In fact, with every moment, he could experience new things from his master. This caused him to be like the thirsty sponge that soaked up the information being passed from Shen Lian, catalyzing the knowledge in his mind into wisdom.

The two of them were in deep thought for a while.

Shen Lian’s clear and quiet voice then rang within the bamboo forest, “The cruelest part of life is that the most wonderful things are like the beautiful sunset, it disappears after it fleet pass. Now, every flower and leaf that I see, even the micro dust on the floor, would make me feel curious. I could even see the many microorganisms that are hidden within a dew drop with my own eyes. They reproduce while they breathe and their lives and deaths happened within the blink of an eye. All these new experiences make it harder for me to let life disappear just like that. It also helps me understand just how precious it is to exist in this universe.”

He sighed deeply, as though there was an unlimited reluctance to it.

Chen Jinchan could hear the distress in his mind and he could not help but added, “Master, I heard from Senior Apprentice-Sister Fang that my flesh and blood has unlimited vigor. It could regenerate the bones and flesh of the dead. If it could of help to you, I can sacrifice my own flesh and blood.”

There was a compassionate mercy in the deep corners of his mind. Furthermore, he deeply respected Shen Lian and that was why he would say this.

Shen Lian smiled as he replied, “Jinchan, life to me had always been a wonderful game. I personally am reluctant to part with this game and I really like the endless possibilities of this game and do not wish to be disqualified. Nonetheless, I would not do anything so unscrupulously because of this. Furthermore, the problem I have with my body could not solely rely on elixirs to solve it.

Even though Yanying is a genius in swordcraft, but ultimately, she grew up in a powerful family in Xihuang and has some worldliness to her. I encouraged her to undergo the nine transformations of Huandan and surpass my Senior Apprentice-Brother was to exactly have her throw out the chains of this worldliness, to forget about the difference in the hierarchy and to draw out the heart of sword that will not turn back. If she still could not go through with the ninth transformation during Huandan, I am afraid that she could not break through the whims in this lifetime. This is exactly the hardest point in achieving Dao and attaining longevity. It is never up to the mana and supernatural powers but it is based on whether one could witness the purest self.”

Chen Jinchan did not fully understand and so he asked, “Is that the real self after attaining longevity?”

Shen Lian answered, “This is not so. When one breaks through one’s whims, they could truly witness their self. However, with one being in the secular mortal world, there are uncountable disturbances that would influence oneself. Unknowingly and unconsciously, one’s true nature would still be kept hidden away while one’s anger and greed would be displayed. It could be said that any being in this universe would be tainted by the secular mortal world and their souls would be affected. It is out of human control. Therefore, even the celestials and Buddhas would also have fights. Talking about all these are actually too profound for you to understand. However, I might not have much time so I could only forcefully imposed my own view onto you. I hope that you will not blame me for it in the future.”

After saying this, Shen Lian took one step out and reached under a stone bamboo. His hand waved and with one hack, there was a length of bamboo in his hand. It was exactly one foot and eight inches.

Chen Jinchan did not know what his master wanted to do and so he concentrated and looked carefully.

Very quickly, the bamboo became a musical instrument that was similar to a Chinese vertical bamboo flute. It had a total of five holes, four in the front and one in the back.

Shen Lian picked up this musical instrument, his gaze passing through the far vast void, and he began playing it.

A wisp of voiceless sound dispersed in the universe. It was deep and desolate, but it also included an ethereal and tranquil prospect to it.

Yanxu also heard this voiceless sound and the memories in his soul that were related to Qing Xuan came gushing out like a fountainhead. He saw that amidst the stone bamboo forest of the Qingliang Peak, a young Zhang Ruoxu was swinging his stone axe and was diligently chopping the stone bamboos. He sat on the strips of stone bamboos by the side. He was leisurely swinging about as he watched this foolish fellow pool the floor with his sweat.